Day 33 - Columbia to St. Augustine

We left Columbia at 8:15am, thanking God that we decided to take the extra three hours yesterday and ride from Morganton, NC to Columbia. Yesterday it was 102 late in the afternoon. Today it was 87 at 8:00am and is set to reach 106 by noon. We are glad to be gone early, and thankful we only have 335 miles to go today and not 493 as per the original schedule.

What can I say about the ride down US26 and I95? We all know what it is like to ride on the interstates with all the trucks - not much fun! But, it is time to go home and the interstate does get you there fast - unless there is an accident or too much traffic congestion - which there wasn't!

However, once into Florida, one of those "scattered," or "isolated" thunderstorm decided to isolate itself right over us on I95 right at the World Golf Village. How appropriate. I got rained on when I visited my old home (Seattle), and now I get rained on when I return to my new home. Suzanne, in the car, laughed. Oh well, it was a short rain, as most are in Florida, unlike Seattle where the rain can go on for days (and did when we were there)!

We have been extremely fortunate with the weather for the most part, and with the vehicles. The Hyundai and the Harley have performed flawlessly ("knock on wood"). Indeed, I think the two of them have "bonded!" The only thing I am scratching my head about is the extreme variability in the gas mileage on the Harley. I am wondering if the fact that the fuel in the Midwest is often a methanol mixture had anything to do with it? I am sure the wind was a factor as well.

We are going to "do the town" tonight in St. Augustine. It is one of our favorite towns and it is time to celebrate a great adventure (pics). Wish you were all here with us! See you soon and "cheers!"